This article explains, in straightforward terms, how many draft picks the Chicago Bulls are likely to hold in the 2026 NBA draft and why that total can change. It is aimed at fans and draft watchers who want a concise, source-backed breakdown of protections, rollovers, and the steps to confirm the final count. We rely on public draft-asset trackers and the CBA guidance on pick trading to show the two most likely outcomes: the Bulls enter the draft with either a first and a second or only a second, depending on the resolution of the DeRozan sign-and-trade obligation and the lottery results.

On paper the Bulls will most likely have one or two picks in 2026, with the first conditional on the DeRozan protection outcome.

The Stepien Rule and protection rollovers are why the 2026 first is often shown as encumbered until the 2025 obligation resolves.

Confirm the final count by checking the lottery results, transaction logs, and major tracker updates on draft week.

Quick answer: how many picks do the Bulls have in the 2026 draft?

Short summary for readers who want the bottom line

On paper the Chicago Bulls will most likely enter the 2026 draft with one or two selections: a first-round pick that is encumbered by protections tied to the DeRozan sign-and-trade obligation and at least one second-round pick whose exact slot depends on standings and swap language.

This immediate answer captures the common tracker listing and the key caveat readers must know before assuming a firm total because protection and rollover mechanics can change ownership.

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Why the count can change: protections, rollovers, and the Stepien Rule

First, a protected pick means the original trade set a range under which the receiving team gets the selection rather than the sending team; top 10 protection is a common example and is the reason Chicago's first can move depending on where the pick lands, as listed by public trackers.

That conditional language is often rolled forward from one year to another if an earlier obligation did not convey, which is why the 2026 first is described as carrying a rollover from the 2025 obligation in many tracker summaries Hoops Rumors picks page.

Second, the Stepien Rule prevents teams from trading away first-round picks in consecutive future drafts, so the Bulls cannot freely move certain 2026 rights while a 2025 obligation is still unresolved; for a plain language explanation see the CBA FAQ entry on the rule Larry Coon CBA FAQ.

The DeRozan sign-and-trade and the specific protections on Chicago’s 2026 first

Summary of the original obligation

The Bulls' 2026 first is tied to the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade obligation that gives the Spurs a claim under a top 10 protection that can carry forward if the 2025 pick did not convey, a fact trackers show when they label the pick as encumbered RealGM future drafts.

Two simple conditional paths determine whether San Antonio receives the pick or Chicago keeps it: if the 2025 obligation conveyed to the Spurs then the 2026 first is free of that obligation, but if the 2025 pick did not convey then the 2026 pick can pass to San Antonio if it falls within the conveyance range.

Scenario A, where the Spurs already received the 2025 pick, means Chicago retains its 2026 selection outright; Scenario B, where the 2025 pick did not convey, means the 2026 pick carries the same conveyance trigger and could transfer to San Antonio if it lands in the 11 to 30 range Hoops Rumors picks page.

The protected structure and those two outcomes are the reason many trackers list the Bulls' 2026 first as encumbered or conditional until the earlier obligation resolves RealGM future drafts.

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Bookmark this guide and check your preferred tracker on lottery night to confirm whether the 2025 obligation conveyed, as that determines the Bulls' 2026 first.

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How the Stepien Rule limits what Chicago can do with the 2026 first

The Stepien Rule stops teams from trading away first-round picks in consecutive future drafts, so a pick tied to an unresolved prior obligation cannot be freely moved until the earlier year is settled.

In practice this means Chicago faces limits on offering its 2026 first in deals while the 2025 obligation to San Antonio remains unresolved, an important constraint for front offices and draft-night negotiators and one explained in the CBA FAQ on the topic Larry Coon CBA FAQ.

Combined with protection rollovers, Stepien creates a window where the 2026 first is effectively off-limits for normal trade planning until the previous year’s conveyance is known, which is why trackers often show that pick as encumbered in their listings Hoops Rumors picks page.

What the major draft-asset trackers list for Chicago’s 2026 picks

Hoops Rumors lists Chicago's 2026 first with top 10 protection rolling from the 2025 obligation and also notes at least one 2026 second-round pick on paper, with dates on the page showing when entries were last updated Hoops Rumors picks page.

RealGM's future drafts table shows the first as tied to the DeRozan sign-and-trade protection and includes the Bulls' second-round assets, with a short description field that readers can use to see conditional phrasing RealGM future drafts.

Spotrac and Tankathon similarly present the 2026 first as protected and list a second-round pick for Chicago, though description styles differ and some pages emphasize swap language that can delay final slotting until standings and paperwork are final Spotrac Bulls draft page.

Because trackers update as trades are recorded and standings are set, entries can vary slightly in phrasing; for a team-by-team traded picks view see Tankathon's traded picks listing Tankathon traded picks.

Second-round assets and why their status is more fluid

Second-round picks often carry swap conditions or are part of multi-team deals, so a page that lists a Bulls 2026 second may be correct on paper but leave the exact draft slot open until standings and any swaps are resolved, as trackers commonly indicate Spotrac Bulls draft page.

Multi-team swaps can change which team ends up with a particular second-round slot without altering the fact that Chicago is credited with a pick on paper, which is why conditional phrasing appears on many tracker rows and why the final slot is usually set only after standings finalize and trade paperwork posts Tankathon traded picks.

Two practical scenarios at draft time: when Chicago has one pick and when it has two

Scenario A: Bulls have only one pick - what had to happen

If the 2025 obligation did not convey to the Spurs and the Bulls' 2026 first falls in the 11 to 30 range it would transfer to San Antonio under the same protection, leaving Chicago with only its second-round pick in the 2026 draft Hoops Rumors picks page.

How many picks do the Chicago Bulls have in the 2026 draft?

On paper the Bulls most likely have one or two selections in 2026: a first-round pick that is conditional because of the DeRozan sign-and-trade protections and at least one second-round pick whose final slot depends on standings and swap language.

Scenario B: Bulls have two picks - what had to happen

If the 2025 pick already conveyed to the Spurs or if the 2026 first ultimately falls in the 1 to 10 range then Chicago keeps its first and enters the draft with both a first and a second, which is the alternate and frequently noted outcome across trackers RealGM future drafts.

Both scenarios are the practical paths most often discussed by draft watchers because they directly follow from the conveyance result and the lottery outcome and are reflected in public tracking pages that show the conditional language Tankathon traded picks.

Timeline: when the Bulls’ final 2026 pick count becomes official

The pick order for first-round positions is finalized by the NBA Draft Lottery, so the Bulls' ultimate 2026 first-round slot becomes official after the lottery concludes and results are posted.

Minimalist 2D vector side by side comparison of pick conveys versus pick retained with ticket icons arrows and a calendar marker in Funded Plays colors representing bucks bulls prediction

Second-round slots and any swap outcomes are finalized when regular season standings are set and when the trade paperwork or transaction logs are updated, at which point trackers adjust their pages to reflect final ownership and placement Spotrac Bulls draft page.

How to read pick listings and common abbreviations

Protected generally means the pick transfers only if it falls outside a protected range, conveys signals that the obligation has already passed to the receiving team, swap means two teams can exchange draft slots under agreed terms, and conditional flags that the entry depends on other outcomes.

A tracker might show an encumbered pick as: "First-round pick, top 10 protected, rolls to 2026" which readers should interpret as a pick that transfers if it lands 11 to 30 and moves forward if the prior year did not convey Tankathon traded picks.

Typical errors and pitfalls when counting future draft picks

Common mistakes include assuming a protected pick is retained without checking conveyance language, ignoring rollover clauses, or relying on an old tracker snapshot that predates a trade or lottery result; always confirm against transaction logs and updated tracker entries Larry Coon CBA FAQ.

Three quick checks to verify a pick total are: consult the official transaction log, compare at least two major tracker pages, and confirm the lottery result for first-round slotting; doing these reduces the risk of miscounting due to conditional language Hoops Rumors picks page.

What the Bulls’ likely pick count means for their draft strategy

With only a second-round pick Chicago would focus on targeted upside or draft-night trades to acquire a first, while holding both a first and a second gives the front office more flexibility to take a high-upside rookie and still pursue depth picks or packaged moves Spotrac Bulls draft page.

Because protections and the Stepien Rule limit predictable trading of the 2026 first until earlier obligations are resolved, the Bulls may plan contingently and prioritize flexibility closer to the lottery and after any offseason deals are recorded Larry Coon CBA FAQ.

How the Spurs are positioned by the protections on Chicago’s pick

If the Bulls' 2026 first conveys under the protection the Spurs receive that selection within the 11 to 30 range, giving San Antonio a potential mid-to-late first-round asset depending on how the pick lands Hoops Rumors picks page.

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That conditional receipt affects the Spurs’ asset planning because they must account for a possible draft asset that only exists if the conveyance condition is met, which creates variability in how they might use or trade the selection Pro Sports Transactions trade log.

Practical checklist: what to watch in the days leading to the 2026 draft

Check the NBA Draft Lottery results first, then verify the official transaction log for any posted conveyances or trade paperwork, and finally confirm tracker pages for updated language and slot assignments Tankathon traded picks and the NBA trade tracker NBA trade tracker.

Daily checklist for draft week: 1) lottery result and official NBA release, 2) transaction log and team pages, 3) Hoops Rumors and RealGM future draft tables for updated protections and conveyances Hoops Rumors picks page and see how Funded Plays evaluations work.

Conclusion: concise recap and final guidance

Bottom line, Chicago will likely have one or two picks in the 2026 draft on paper, with the first-round slot conditional on the DeRozan sign-and-trade protections and the outcome of the 2025 conveyance RealGM future drafts.

To confirm the final count, watch the lottery, check the transaction log for any posted conveyances, and consult the major tracker pages immediately after those events for the updated, final listing Spotrac Bulls draft page or visit Funded Plays.

Additional coverage of the DeRozan sign-and-trade and the original pick obligations is available from ESPN ESPN and RealGM's detailed pick page RealGM detailed future draft picks.

Will the Bulls definitely have a first-round pick in 2026?

Not definitely. The 2026 first is conditional because it carries protections tied to the DeRozan sign-and-trade and depends on whether the 2025 obligation conveyed.

When will the Bulls' final pick count be locked in?

Final pick ownership is locked after the NBA Draft Lottery for first-round slots and when standings and transaction logs finalize second-round slots and any swaps.

Where should I check for the most up-to-date pick ownership?

Check the official transaction log, then update with major trackers such as Hoops Rumors, RealGM, Spotrac, and Tankathon after the lottery and any recorded trades.

If you follow the checklist in this article and check the trackers right after the lottery and transaction log updates, you will have the correct pick count before draft night. Revisit the named tracker pages for the most recent language and confirm any last-minute trades through official transaction logs.